nag

¹

[ nag ]

verb (used with object)

, nagged, nag·ging.

1. to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands.

   Synonyms: vex, irritate, hector, harass, pester

2. to keep in a state of troubled awareness or anxiety, as a recurrent pain or problem:

   She had certain misgivings that nagged her.

verb (used without object)

, nagged, nag·ging.

1. to find fault or complain in an irritating, wearisome, or relentless manner (often followed by at ):

   If they start nagging at each other, I'm going home.

2. to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. (often followed by at ):

   This headache has been nagging at me all day.

noun

1. Also . a person who nags, especially habitually.
2. an act or instance of nagging:

   His constant nagging finally got the best of me and I lost my temper.

nag

²

[ nag ]

noun

1. an old, inferior, or worthless horse.
2. Slang. any horse, especially a racehorse.
3. a small riding horse or pony.

nag

¹

/ næɡ /

verb

1. to scold or annoy constantly
2. whenintr, often foll by at to be a constant source of discomfort or worry (to)

   toothache nagged him all day

noun

1. a person, esp a woman, who nags

nag

²

/ næɡ /

noun

1. derogatory.
   a horse
2. a small riding horse

Derived Forms

• ˈnagger, noun
• ˈnaggingly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·nagged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nag¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Old Norse nagga “to rub, grumble, quarrel”; akin to Middle Low German naggen “to irritate”; gnaw

Origin of nag²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English nag(ge); connected with Dutch neg(ge) “small horse,” of obscure origin; said to be akin to neigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of nag¹

C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw , irritate, German nagen

Origin of nag²

C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh

Example Sentences

They never make any demands; they never nag; they keep everything operating on a level of fantasy.

From The Daily Beast

When a man's in clink, his nag gets nothing but mild exercise till his rightful rider gets out.

From Project Gutenberg

"That old nag won't forget the lesson the young marquis gave him for some time, I'll be bound," remarked one lounger.

From Project Gutenberg

And we sophs really shouldn't nag you freshies, you know, for we must pull together against the seniors and juniors.

From Project Gutenberg

Iprubar lang nag haum ug masúd ba, Try putting it in and see if it fits.

From Project Gutenberg

Prubisyunali lang nag atup myintras tantu, Just put up temporary roofing for the time being.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoy
• badger
• berate
• fuss
• hector
• hound
• irk
• irritate
• pester
• scold
• tease
• torment
• vex